Transparent bag with a non-transparent concealment flap

ABSTRACT

A bag constructed a least in part of transparent plastic vinyl, PVC, mesh or other material that allows a clear unrestricted view of the contents held inside the walls of the bag. The bag is supplied with at least one removable concealment flaps constructed of an opaque material that would obstruct the view the bag contents.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to the technical field of luggage. More particularly, the present invention is in the technical field of handbags with transparent sides through which the contents or the handbags can viewed by security personnel. In even greater particularity the present invention relates to transparent handbags with movable flaps that can be deployed to obstruct the view of the contents of the handbag when the bag is not under an inspection.

BACKGROUND

To provide a safer environment for the public and significantly expedite fan entry into venues, event security policy makers have implemented limits on size and type of hags that may be brought into venues. The main restriction is the bag must be constructed of transparent material, thereby exposing the contents of the bag. This restriction will limit the use of common solid bags at these events.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A general object of the invention is to provide a bag constructed at least in part of transparent plastic, vinyl, PVC, mesh or other material that allows a clear unrestricted view of the contents held inside the walls of the bag. Depending on construction, the bag is supplied with one or more removable concealment flaps constructed of an opaque material that would obstruct the view of the above mentioned contents. The present invention also provides an attachment method for the concealment flaps that allows the flaps to be easily removed and reattached without any tools. The removal of the concealment flaps would expose the contents of the above mentioned transparent bag. The present invention also provides an attachment method that allows the concealment flaps to be lifted to expose the contents of the transparent bag and lowered to conceal the contents. The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

For better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated. In one embodiment, the flaps are permanently attached to the handbag, while in accordance with another embodiment, the flaps are detachable and optional.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings which are appended hereto and which form a portion of this disclosure, it may be seen that:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a transparent bag with removable flap, according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a is a rear perspective view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a bag with the flaps removed.

FIG. 4 is a from perspective view of a bag with the flaps lifted.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the removable concealment flaps; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the removable concealment flaps of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more of the above objects can be achieved, at least in part, by providing bags as shown in the accompanying drawings wherein the first embodiment utilizes a transparent or substantially transparent bag, generally designated 10, with a front side removable concealment flap 12 and a rear side removable concealment flap 11, which are shaped and shred to cover most of the transparent bag body 17. One or more handles or shoulder straps 13 have opposite ends connected, for example, with stitches or other conventional means, to the upper sides of the bag body 17.

The transparent bag 18 consists of a front side 22, rear side 23, two ends 24 & 25, bottom 26 and an open top side 27 that includes a zipper or other closure 28 device. These parts are formed to make the clear bag body 17. The exact construction of the bag body may be varied such that the bottom and two sides or bottom and two ends or ends and two sides may all be integral and the remaining ends, sides, or bottom portions are affixed thereto or the ban be unitary with the bottom, sides, and ends formed integrally. The bag may be made from a clear or substantially clear plastic or any substantially transparent mesh such that the contents of the bag may be viewed through the sides, or ends, or bottom. In some embodiments, the ends, the bottom, or one side may be opaque. The transparent bag 10 may have an attachment strip 15 which may be a detachable adherent material such as one side of a hook and loop fabric connection mounted to the top front side and extending along the entire front 22 of the bag. The bag 17 has an attachment strip 18 of similar material mounted to the top rear side and extending along the entire back 23 of the bag. In some embodiments strips 15 and 18 may be a series of discontinuous attachment segments and the strips are not limited to hook and loop fabric materials. It is ostensibly noteworthy to mention that additional similar flaps may be provided to cover the ends of the bag.

As best shown in FIG. 3 concealment flap 11 and concealment flap 12 can be detached to fully expose the contents of the transparent bag body 17.

As best shown in FIG. 4 concealment flap 2 or concealment flap 11 can be lifted to fully expose the contents thereof.

As seen in FIG. 5 removable front concealment flap 12 has an attachment strip 16 which may be made of complementary hook and loop material mounted to the top rear side of the flap extending along the entire length thereof such that flap 12 may be connected to front 22. Removable rear concealment flap has a similar attachment strip 19 mounted to the ion rear side of the flap extending along the entire length for the same purposes. Attachment strips 16 and 19 may he discontinuous and extend over only so much of the flaps as to insure secure connection to of the flaps to bag 10. The front concealment flap 12 provides an area to embroider or print or otherwise affix an event or sponsor logo or other indicia and rear concealment flap 11 provides a second area to embroider, print or otherwise affix a sponsor or event logo or other indicia.

In yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 6, I provide the transparent bag as before, however, the concealment flaps 11 and 12 include slots 31 and 32 such that the handles of the bag may be passed there through in a manner allowing the flaps to position themselves adjacent the sides of the bag and be lifted to view the contents of the bag.

While in the foregoing specification this invention has been described in relation to certain embodiments thereof, and many details have been put forth for the purpose of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is susceptible to additional embodiments including book bags, knapsacks, duffel bags, and the like, and that certain of the details described herein can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention. 

What claim is:
 1. A bag having a body defining an interior open space made at least in part from a substantially transparent material such that said interior open space of said bag is visible through said bag, and at least one opaque flap member connected to said bag and sized such that the interior open space of said bag is substantially blocked from view by said flap when said flap is in a first position, said flap being selectively movable between said first position and a second position at which the interior open space of said bag is visible.
 2. A bag as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one opaque flap member is detachably connected to said bag.
 3. A bag as defined in claim 2 wherein said at least on opaque flap member has an area thereon for affixation of an indicia.
 4. A bag as defined in claim 3 wherein said at least one flap member is attached to said bag by a detachable adherent material.
 5. A bag as defined in claim 2 wherein said at least one flap member is attached to said bag by a detachable adherent material.
 6. A bag as defined in claim 2 further comprising at least one handle affixed to said bag and wherein said at least one flap member includes at least one slot through which said at least one handle passes to connect said flap member to said bag.
 7. A bag as defined in claim 6 wherein said at least on opaque flap member has an area thereon for affixation of an indicia.
 8. A bag as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one flap member is attached to said bag by a detachable adherent material.
 9. A bag as defined in claim 1 wherein said body includes a from and rear side, wherein at least one of said front and rear side is made from said substantially transparent material and said at least one flap member is connected to said bag overlying said substantially transparent material.
 10. A bag as defined in claim 10 wherein said at least on opaque flap member has an area thereon for affixation of an indicia.
 11. A bag as defined in claim 1 further comprising at least one handle affixed to said bag and wherein said at least one flap member includes at least one slot through which said at least one handle passes to connect said flap member to said bag.
 12. A bag as defined in claim 1 wherein said bag is a hand bag.
 13. A bag as defined in claim 1 wherein said bag is a shoulder bag.
 14. A hag as defined in claim 1 wherein said bag is a book bag.
 15. A bag as defined in claim 1 wherein said bag is a knapsack. 